MLBB Athletes Open Up in New Esports Docuseries
MLBB Athletes Open Up in New Esports Docuseries
Beyond the Game: The Real Lives of Esports Stars
Esports has evolved into a global phenomenon, captivating millions with its competitive intensity and high-stakes tournaments. Yet, behind every victory lies a human story—a journey of hardship, resilience, and triumph. The upcoming Amazon Prime docuseries “Level Up” aims to shine a light on these untold narratives, offering fans an intimate look at the struggles and perseverance of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) athletes.
Premiering on June 6, 2025, the Esports World Cup (EWC) documentary series will feature MLBB players Sanford “Sanford” Vinuya, Michelle “Chell” Siswanto, and Cindy “Cinny” Siswanto, sharing their experiences of overcoming adversity while competing at the highest level. This series isn’t just about esports—it’s about the power of resilience and the importance of representation in gaming.
Sanford’s Story: Carrying the Weight of Family and Esports
Sanford, a prodigy from Team Liquid Philippines, has quickly risen to stardom in the MLBB scene. But his journey hasn’t been easy. Months before competing in the MLBB Mid Season Cup (MSC) at EWC 24, Sanford’s father suffered a massive stroke, leaving him as the family’s primary breadwinner.
Balancing professional gaming with personal struggles is no small feat. As he prepared for one of the biggest mid-year MLBB tournaments, Sanford carried an immense burden—the pressure to perform for his country while ensuring his family’s well-being. It was a mental and emotional challenge that few could fully understand, yet he soldiered through, proving that esports is more than just reflexes and strategy.
Despite the challenges, Sanford and Team Liquid Philippines recently clinched the MPL Philippines Season 15 championship title, securing their place at MSC at EWC 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His journey serves as a testament to the strength required to succeed—not just in gaming, but in life itself.
Chell and Cinny: Representing Women in Esports
Indonesian sisters Chell and Cinny from Team Vitality also faced profound personal loss before stepping onto the biggest stage. Their grandfather passed away on the very day of their arrival in Riyadh for the MLBB Women’s Invitational (MWI) at EWC 24. Instead of mourning in private, they had to summon the courage to compete, carrying their grief while giving their all for their country.
For Chell and Cinny, being part of the “Level Up” docuseries is more than just sharing their journey—it’s about representation. As women in esports, their inclusion is a win in itself. “It’s a meaningful opportunity for us to represent women in the gaming community who share the same struggles,” Chell shared. “We hope to show that female players deserve the same spotlight and recognition as men in competitive gaming.”
Cinny echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of passion in pursuing esports. “If you truly love this path, do it wholeheartedly. Pursue it for yourself and for the people you love.”
The Power of Representation in Esports
Esports has long been dominated by male players, but the tide is turning. MOONTON Games, the developer behind MLBB, continues to push for inclusivity and diversity within its esports ecosystem.
Ray Ng, Head of Esports Ecosystem at MOONTON Games, highlighted the significance of the docuseries. “This series showcases the expansive global presence of MLBB and gives our talents a platform to share their inspiring stories of grit and determination.”
MOONTON Games has actively supported women in mobile esports, making MLBB the only esports title to feature professional open tournaments alongside dedicated women’s competitions. MWI at EWC 25 continues this legacy, unveiling a 16-team lineup that strengthens female representation on the global stage.
Meanwhile, the MSC at EWC 25 is further expanding, welcoming Japan and Vietnam with dedicated Wild Card slots, solidifying MLBB’s place as a truly international competitive arena. The tournaments grow larger every year, but the challenge remains the same—one game, two championship titles, and the relentless pursuit of greatness.
Beyond Championships: Esports as a Vehicle for Change
Competitive gaming isn’t just about winning—it’s about building legacies, inspiring communities, and proving that perseverance can lead to greatness. The stories in “Level Up” illustrate that esports athletes are more than just skilled players—they’re individuals fighting their own battles, just like the fans who support them.
With this documentary, fans will finally see the human side of esports, an aspect often overshadowed by stats, rankings, and prize pools. These players aren’t just gaming legends—they’re individuals who face challenges, mourn losses, and rise above adversity to pursue their passion.
By stepping into the global spotlight, Sanford, Chell, and Cinny are doing more than sharing their struggles—they’re inspiring the next generation of esports players. Their stories serve as proof that success isn’t just about mechanics and strategy, but about the resilience to keep moving forward, no matter the obstacles.
Where to Watch “Level Up”
The highly anticipated “Level Up” docuseries will premiere on Amazon Prime Video on June 6 at 1 a.m. CEST (7 a.m. GMT+8). It promises to be an emotional, eye-opening look into the realities of esports, giving viewers a front-row seat to the stories of players who have endured hardships to reach the top.
Whether you’re an MLBB fan, an aspiring esports athlete, or simply someone looking for inspiration, this documentary is one you won’t want to miss.
The second episode, to launch on 13 June, will highlight Sanford’s story, while the third episode on 20 June will feature Chell and Cinny. Watch the trailer here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1HZWSpQtdT/?mibextid=wwXIfr
For more information about MSC and MWI at EWC 25, follow the official social media channels:
| Region | Channels |
| Global | •                   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MLBBEsportsOfficial
•                   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mlbbesports_official/ •                   TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mlbbesports_official •                   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MLBBeSports |
| MPL ID | •                   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mpl.id.official
•                   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpl.id.official •                   TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@mpl.id.official •                   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/MPLIndonesia |
| MPL PH | •                   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mplph.official
•                   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpl.ph •                   TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@mplph_official •                   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/MPLPhilippines |
| MPL MY | •                   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mplmy.official
•                   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mplmy.official •                   TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@mplmy •                   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MPL-Malaysia |
| MPL MENA
|
•                   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mlbbesportsmena/
•                   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mlbbesportsmena/ •                   TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mlbbesportsmena •                   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MLBBEsportsMENA |
| MPL KH | •                   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mplkh.official
•                   Instagram: https://instagram.com/mplkh.official •                   TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@mplkh.official •                   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mobilelegendsbangbangcambo4981 |
| MPL SG | •                   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mpl.sg.official
•                   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpl.sg.official/ •                   TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@mplsingapore |
| MM | •                   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MobileLegendsEsportsMyanmar
•                   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mobilelegendsbangbangchann6106 |
| TR | •                   Facebook: https://facebook.com/MobileLegendsGameTR
•                   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mlbbespor •                   TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mobilelegendstrofficial •                   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mobilelegendstr |
| LATAM | •                   Facebook: https://facebook.com/MobileLegendsGameES
•                   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mlbbesportses •                   TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mlbbesesports •                   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MLBBLATAM |
| BR | •                   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mplbrazil
•                   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mplbrazil/ •                   TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@mplbrazil •                   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/mplbrazil |
| SA | •                   Facebook: https://facebook.com/mlbbnppage
•                   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mlbbnepalofficial |
| NA | •                   Facebook: https://facebook.com/MobileLegendsNorthAmerica
•                   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mlbbnorthamericaofficial •                   TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@mobilelegendsnaofficial •                   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/MobileLegendsNorthAmerica |
| EECA | •                   Telegram: https://t.me/mlbbesports
•                   VK: https://vk.com/mlbbesports •                   TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mlbbcis •                   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mlbbcis |
| Mekong | •                   Facebook: https://facebook.com/MCCMEKONG |
| Mongolia | •                   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gaming/mlbbmnpage
•                   Facebook: https://facebook.com/esn.esportsnetwork •                   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mobilelegendsmn |
